Taku Kishimoto and The Art of Writing for Anime

Taku Kishimoto and the Art of Writing for Anime

Last week in Tokyo our animation students were introduced to The Art of Writing for Anime by writer Taku Kishimoto.

What is the job of a writer for anime and manga? Japanese screenwriters write original stories, working with the director and producer to come up with new material for TV and movies.  

Anime stories have a certain structure; successful writers for anime learn to follow this structure, but at the same time they must find originality and invention within this framework.

Hikaru Yajima Introduces The Art of Manga

Manga artist Hikaru Yajima and Baton no Hoshi

This week in Tokyo professional manga artist Hikaru Yajima introduced the art of manga to our animation students, who have been studying at Digital Hollywood University in Tokyo.

Manga forms much of the source material for Japanese anime, part of what gives Japanese animation its unique character and flavour.

In this interactive workshop our students had the opportunity to draw their own manga panels, with a theme set by Hikaru Yajima.

Shirotomo Aizawa: Japanese Art, History & Culture

Shirotomo Aizawa on Japanese Art

Today in Tokyo the composer and multimedia creator Shirotomo Aizawa introduced our animation students (who are currently studying anime and manga in Tokyo) to Japanese history, art and culture.  

Shirotomo Aizawa explained that Japanese culture was historically influenced by China, but grew and developed to have its own unique cultural identity. 

The origins of manga and anime can be found in Japan's unique cultural history and identity. 

Mitsunori Murata, "Akira" and Japanese Animation

Mitsunori Murata 

Today in Tokyo Escape Studios' animators learned from master animator Mitsunori Murata about the process of making animated films in Japan. 

Mitsunori Murata has worked on over 50 Japanese animation films including the legendary "Akira", released in 1988, and Ghost in The Shell. 

How are animated films made in Japan? The answer is that the process is fundamentally very similar to how things are done in the west, but with some unique Japanese features. 

Escape Studios Goes to Tokyo

Escape Studios' Animation Students are Heading to Tokyo

This Saturday September 5th twenty one Escape Studios' animation students are heading to Tokyo, to learn more about manga, anime and Japanese animation techniques. 

Our animation students will be attending classes and workshops in Manga and Anime at Digital Hollywood University in central Tokyo.  We're delighted to be able to organise this unique experience for our students. 

The Art of Manga Storytelling 8 April 2026

The Art of Manga Storytelling with Elena Vitagliano 8 April

Join us for a free webinar 8 April 2026 at 6pm on The Art of Manga Storytelling with Elena Vitagliano.

Elena Vitagliano was the first European manga artist to be published on Shonen Jump Plus and creator of Miriam of the Skulls.  In this webinar Elena will explain how she developed one of her own manga stories from the initial idea through to the finished page.  She will also do a short live exercise during the session, followed by a Q&A.  To sign up follow this link. 

Evening Class in Manga Starts 1 June 2026

Evening Course in Mastering Manga and storytelling

Escape Studios is launching a new Evening Course in Mastering Manga and storytelling. 

It is an eight week course, running two evenings a week taught by award winning Manga Artist and Storyteller Elena Vitagliano.

The Evening Course in Mastering Manga and storytelling starts on 1 June 2026 and runs for 8 weeks.